Armed forces honored at Veterans Memorial

Trenton Sperry/tsperry@greeleytribune.com
Members of the Union Colony Marines Color Guard prepare to begin Greeley's Armed Forces Day celebration on Saturday at Bittersweet Park. In addition to the traditional celebration of the armed forces, a Purple Heart was presented to the family of Thomas Feldhaus, who died fighting in Vietnam more than 40 years ago.

Armed Forces Day

Saturday marked the 63rd celebration of Armed Forces Day. The holiday is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May. According to its inaugural proclamation on May 20, 1950, the day “marks the first combined demonstration by America’s defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, toward the goal of readiness for any eventuality.” The day was initially marked by 10,000 troops and veterans marching past President Harry Truman in Washington, D.C. An estimated 33,000 participants joined the festivities in New York City.

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Stories and memories of America’s soldiers took center stage Saturday morning at Bittersweet Park during Greeley’s Armed Forces Day celebration.

About 250 people gathered to celebrate the nation’s men and women in uniform, American flags circled the Veterans Memorial at the park and about 15 recipients of the Purple Heart gathered on the monument.

After the Brentwood Middle School band played patriotic tunes, a keynote address by retired Army Lt. Gen. Harry Soyster lauded the character of soldiers. He began by paraphrasing President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address .

“You will not remember my words here, but our servicemen and women will always be honored by what you have done here,” Soyster said. “They have earned the special place they have in our hearts.”

Himself a recipient of the Purple Heart , and the former commanding general of the Army Intelligence and Security Command, Soyster said he always is struck by the resolve of servicemen and women.

“Those who wear the uniform today — in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard — are indeed patriots of a special breed,” Soyster said. “From the reluctant draftee to the committed volunteer, they always amaze me with their willingness to go the extra mile and, when asked, to step up to the plate and to fulfill the oath they had taken — and yet to ask for so little in return. I believe that we ask more of them today than at any other period in history.”

A special part of this year’s ceremony was the presentation of the Purple Heart to the family of Thomas Feldhaus, who was killed in Vietnam. Two of Feldhaus’ brothers worked to gain the military’s recognition of his combat death. Thomas’ death was initially listed as non-combat, meaning he was not eligible to receive the Purple Heart. After more than 40 years, that designation was changed, and Feldhaus’ brothers received the award on Saturday in his honor.

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Howard Stone gave remarks before the presentation of the award.

“I choose to believe — and you may join me if you wish,” Stone said, “that Tom Feldhaus indeed is probably up there in heaven looking down at us, perhaps with a smile, as he sees what is occurring in his hometown.”

Thomas Feldhaus’ nephew, Army S.Sgt. Tim Feldhaus, also said a few words about his uncle. Tim has served two tours in Iraq, a tour in Afghanistan and will soon deploy on a second tour to Afghanistan. He received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with Valor during his first tour in Afghanistan.

“All I know of my Uncle Tom are the stories my father tells me and the photos and the albums that I look at,” Tim said. “I’ll never know him, but I too am a soldier, a veteran and a Purple Heart recipient. And I can attest to you that a soldier is never forgotten. Much else can be forgotten in time, but you never forget the people that give their all.”

Tim thanked those who attended the ceremony, and those who helped recognize his uncle.

“I am amazed by how many stories and information (about Thomas Feldhaus) have flowed out of this entire process,” Tim said. “It’s truly amazing to see how many people care to honor a soldier’s service. The Purple Heart is something that brings honor to Tom.”

Before a rifle salute and the playing of Taps, Tim Feldhaus had a small request for the crowd.

“Next week is Memorial Day,” Tim said. “I encourage you to honor the fallen by telling stories and your fond memories of them so they will live on in your hearts.”

Those who wear the uniform today — in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard — are indeed patriots of a special breed. From the reluctant draftee to the committed volunteer, they always amaze me with their willingness to go the extra mile and, when asked, to step up to the plate and to fulfill the oath they had taken — and yet to ask for so little in return. I believe that we ask more of them today than at any other period in history. — Retired Army Lt. Gen. Harry Soyster